Vol. 415 No. 1
279 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the reason for (1) the 133 per cent increase in expenditure under Vote 23, subhead A.5 and (2) the 13 per cent increase in expenditure under Vote 23, subhead A.1, in the Estimates for Public Services 1992.
The increased provision under subhead A.5 of Vote 23 is to fund the implementation of the strategic plan for the expansion of information technology in the Land Registry/Registry of Deeds recommended by the consultancy firm of Price Waterhouse. The plan provides for a major expansion in the use of technology in the operations of the registries over a five year programme.
The increased provision under subhead A.1 is to cover the cost of extra staffing with a view to improving the level of service in the Land Registry and Registry of Deeds, together with increments, promotions, the full impact of pay increases which came into effect during 1991, an additional payday that falls in 1992 and provision for the filling of vacancies.
280 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the reason for (1) the 15 per cent increase in expenditure under Vote 19, subhead A.1, (2) the 24 per cent increase in expenditure under Vote 19, subhead C.1 and (3) the 10 per cent increase in expenditure under Vote 19, subhead C.2, in the Estimates for Public Services 1992.
The 15 per cent increase in subhead A.1 of Vote 19 to which the Deputy refers is calculated by reference to the out-turn figure for 1991 which, due to savings, was less than the amount estimated. The provision in subhead A.1 is, in fact, only 8 per cent higher than the amount which was included in the 1991 Estimate. The increase is largely to provide for the cost of pay increases granted last year (which would have been provided for in Vote 44 last year) and also includes provision for incremental increases and an additional payday which will fall in 1992.
The projected increase in expenditure under subhead C.1 is to meet the cost of higher fees payable to lawyers who operate the criminal legal aid scheme, an anticipated increase in the volume of criminal legal aid cases in 1992 (which is demand-driven and not subject to control by my Department), and additional VAT which is consequential on these increases.
